I could bore you with the details of how our first Thanksgiving hosting went, but I’m exhausted. I’ll just say it went as well as expected (some might call it a great success). Turkey was fine (although the extra breasts were a bit undercooked, and they had to go back into the oven), my husband’s mother contributed with 80% of the side dishes, desserts and serving platters (which I appreciated — great team effort). Everybody came, they all had a place to sit (big concern for my husband), and everyone had a great time. I spent a couple of hours last night cleaning up, and this morning I put the clean dishes away. By breakfast time, which is 11:30am in my parents’ world, there was no sign of there having been a 14-people dinner party the night before. I love my husband for helping with the cleaning and being so independently diligent. Couldn’t have asked for a better life partner. We are exactly on the same page and we split the work without even having to discuss it. It’s just a perfect harmony. I just wish hosting wasn’t so stressful for me, personally. But my stress was no reflection on the evening at all, that’s just my own problem.
What I did want to talk about was about THANKS. At my husband’s house they never say grace, go around saying what they are thankful for, or even do a toast (note: I prefer it that way). In my family, toasts abound, but we don’t really say grace or say what we are thankful for. My mother asked if we should do a toast, but I decided against it. I’m not comfortable with them and didn’t want to make my husband’s family uncomfortable either… so we didn’t. But that didn’t mean I didn’t have anything to be thankful for.
I am thankful for:
- My healthy, loving and caring immediate and extended family. I just really lucked out in having a family that loves one another and whom I can count on to not have any drama or awkward moments in holiday gatherings.
- My freedom of speech.
- My freedom of decision about my future. I lucked out in finding a partner who supports me no matter what I do, or say, or think, or decide to do.
- Not having anything to really have to worry about. I have a roof over my head, I have love in my life, I have a job with a steady income, and all I have left to worry about is what to do with my time.
- God’s gift of constant inquiry and curiosity.
- My husband. I don’t know what I would do without him, and he is the best thing that has ever happened to me.
I wish you all a very happy Thanksgiving. What are you thankful for?
ina